Safety traffic signal lights



Aug. 10, 1965 T. WAGNER SAFETY TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Aug. 16, 1962 INVENTOR. TOBIAS WAGNER V. f M '0 ww 04 m Y Aug. 10,1965 T. WAGNER 3,200,218

SAFETY TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS Filed Aug. 16, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

TQBIAES WAGNER Fry. 15'

Aug. 10, 1965 -r. WAGNER 3,200,218

SAFETY TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS Filed Aug. 16, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 DONTWALK RED RED GREEN INVENTORE TOBIAS WAGNER ATTOlP/ViV T. WAGNER Aug. 10,1965 SAFETY TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 16, 1962POWER SUPPLY 245 INVENTOR. TOBIAS WAGNER Aug. 10, 1965 T. WAGNER3,200,218

SAFETY TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS Filed Aug. 16, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 All I)II II III II II I II II IA QQy JNVENTOR.

TOBIAS WAGNER 2'2 United States Patent Filed Aug. 16, 1962, Ser. No.217,356 Claims. (Cl. 260-922) This invention relates to trafiic lightsignals designed to indicate at all times the duration of time remainingbefore a signal cycle changes or terminates. Considerable difficulty isexperienced by motorists in bringing their automobiles to a stop when agreen light suddenly changes to red. Although in many jurisdictions anamber caution light is included, this does not represent a full solutionto the problem, since the amber light remains on, usually, only for avery few seconds. Thus, the motorist may be approaching an intersection,maintaining a normal rate of speed suflicient in his judgment to permithim to pass the intersection while he still has a green light, and maybe suddenly confronted with an imminent light change when he is almostat the intersection. Under these circumstances, it is necessary that heeither bring his vehicle to a sharp stop or alternately, continue onthrough the intersection despite the fact that the signal may havecompletely changed before he is fully through the intersection.

It will be seen from the above that it is highly desirable that amotorist be provided with a visual indication, from the time the signalchanges until the next change thereof, that will provide him with fullknowledge as to the amount of time remaining before the next change. Inthis way, he can prepare himself further in advance, either for bringinghis vehicle to a halt at an intersection, or alternatively, forpreparing the vehicle to leave the intersection after it has beenstopped thereat by a red light.

The difiiculty experienced by motorists is experienced also bypedestrians, who oftentimes, in endeavoring to cross an intersection atwhich controls exist in the form of traffic lights, find themselvesstranded in the middle of the intersection, thereby incurringconsiderable risk of injury as traffic begins to flow in a differentdirection.

It has been heretofore proposed to provide a visual indication on atrafiic light signal whereby one can determine, generally, the extent oftime remaining before the next light change. However, the main object ofthe present invention is to provide an improved type of device, whichwill be particularly adapted to provide a visual indication that can beseen at a substantial distance, so that an oncoming motorist can readilyperceive the extent of time in a signal cycle remaining before hereaches an intersection and so that pedestrians can perceive the extentof time in the signal cycle remaining during which they can safely crossthe intersection or during which they must wait before they can safelycross the intersection.

Another object is to provide a trafiic signal with cycled red and greenlights with or without an accompanying amber light and having associatedsignal units divided into illuminated sections which progressively areextinguished during the timing cycles.

A further object is to provide a traffic signal wherein progressivelyextinguished illuminated sections provide walk and dont walk indicationsto pedestrians.

A further object is to provide novel switching means for turning thesuccessive illuminated sections of the traffic signal on and oif.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure;

FIGS. 1 and 1A are perspective views of traiiic signal devices embodyingthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 22 of FIG.1, with an associated switching circuit and power supply showndiagrammatically.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are front elevational views of other trafiic signaldevices according to the invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams of switching and power supply circuits of thesignal devices of FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a switching device which may be employedin the trafiic signal, certain components being shown schematically.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of another switching device, withcertain components shown schematically.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the device of FIG.9.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of another switching device.

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 1212 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of another switching device, partsbeing shown schematically.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational View partially in section of anotherswitching device.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are front elevational views of still other trafficsignal devices.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a traflicsignal device 10 in which five units 11-15 are stacked one above theother and secured in a housing 16. Unit 11 at the top of the assemblyincludes a front frame 18 in which are a plurality of rectangularopenings 25 Behind each opening is a transparent clear or colored lensplate 22. Preferably colored red. A lamp socket 24 is mounted behindeach plate 22 on floor plate 25 and carries an electric bulb 26. Eachsocket is connected via an electric cable 28 to a switching circuit andpower supply 3% shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. This circuitarrangement is explained below in connection with FIG. 6. A taperedrectangularly U-shaped hood 32 extends forwardly from frame 18.

Below unit 11 is unit 12 which has a front panel 34 provided with anopening 36. A transparent clear or colored lens plate 33 is locatedbehind panel 34. Plate 38 i preferably colored red. A lamp socket 4G ismounted on floor plate 42 behind lens plate 38. The socket carries alamp bulb 44 and is connected by cable 46 to the switching circuit andpower supply 30. A curved hood 45 extends forwardly of panel 34.

Unit 13, which is below unit 12, has the same construction as unit 12except that lens plate 38 is preferably colored yellow or amber.

Unit 14, which is below unit 13, has the same construction as unit 11except that lens plates 22 are preferably colored green.

Unit 15, which is below unit 14, has the same construca tion as units 12and 13 except that lens plate 38 is preferably colored green.

In signal device 1d of FIG. 1A, the same units are employed as in signaldevice it) except that units 12, 13 and 15 are disposed in a horizontalarray. Unit 11 is placed on top of unit 12 and unit 14 is placed on topof unit is as in device lit. Other parts of the device 10' correspondingto those of device 10 are identically numbered.

In FIG. 3 is shown another trafiic signal device Id Three units 12 13and 15* are mounted one below the other. The construction of these unitsis similar to units 12-, 13 and 15, respectively, except that hood 45are shown as rectangular, although they could have other shapes. Thelens plates 33, 38 and 38 of the several units are respectively coloredred, amber and green. At one side of the three units is a unit 11?having a plurality of sections in' which are exposed lens plates 22'preferably colored red. The internal construction of unit ill is similarto thatalready described for unit ll, except that the unit fil may havea greater number of compartments containing the lamp bulbs. At the otherside of units 12 13 and 15 is another multiple section unit 14 similarto unit 14 except that a greater number of compartments and lens plates22" are provided and these lens plates are preferably colored green. Thedevice titl employs a circuit as shown in detail in FIG. 6. In FIG. 4,trafiic signal device ltl is similar to device te except that unit 13which contains an amber lens plate is omitted. The'laterally disposedunits 11 and 14 are substantially identical with units it and M with redlens plates 22' in unit llll and green lens plates 22" in unit 14*. Alsothe same number of compartments are provided for the lamp bulbs in units11 and 1 1 as are provided in units 11 and 1d. Device lh employs acircuit which is explained below in connection with FIG. 6. In FIG. isshown another traffic signal device lit This device has two units 11 and11 Unit 13 includes a cabinet 5%) having front panels 52 provided withcutouts or apertures 54 spelling out the word DONT. Behind the panelsare translucent or transparent lens plates 56 preferably colored red. Asingle lamp bulb 53 is located behind each of thefront panels. Ifdesired, bulbs 5? can be colored red. Unit 11 has four compartmentsdivided by horizontal floor plates or panels 69. It is to be understoodthat one or more lamp bulbs may be provided instead of the single bulbshown at 58. Attached to cabinet Sit by hinge 62 is a rear cabinet 64which contains a switching circuit and power supply shown schematicallyin FIG. 7. 'Unit 11 is'similar to unit 11 except that two lamp bulbs 59*and 59* are located in each compartment. The lens plates 56* may becolored red, green or White but are preferably transparent, translucentor any color or uncolored while the lamp bulbs 59 and 59 arerespectively colored red, green, white or any other color. In operationof the device, only the green bulbs 59* will light during one part ofthe operating cycle as will be explained in connection with the circuitof PEG. 7.

'During another part of the operating cycle as each one red bulb 58 ineach compartment of unit ll lights up a companion red bulb 59 will lightup in a compartment on the same horizontal level of unit 11 Thus, thedevice will display either WALK signs or red DONT WALK signs.

Circuit 3d shown in FIG. 6 is arranged for operation of device Til ofFIG. 3; The circuit includes lamps 44,

' 4 5 and 44- which project red,'amber and green lights,

respectively, through the lenses of the compartments in which they aredisposed. A first series of lamps 26 are designated 26A-26Fand aredisposed in compartments of .unit 11*, A second series of lamps 26'designated 26G-ZdL are located in compartments of unit 14*. Each of thelamps has one terminal connected to common line 60 which terminates atone terminal 61 of a power supply 62. This power, supply maybeanalternating or direct current source and may be connected to anexternal source of electric power or to a self-contained battery pack.

, A switching device 65 is provided for turningthe various lamps on andoh in a predetermined timed sequence This device includes tworotatableinsulated or cycle.

ZtiA-ZdF and a power supply terminal 83. A stepped 1 switching plate 84;made of conductive material is secured and vice versa.

disks or plates 66, 68 mounted and rotated on a common insulated shaft70 connected to. and driven by drive shaft '72 of a continuously drivenmotor 74; A first insulate (1' arm 76* is disposed radially'adjacentrdisk 6d. This arm is'held stationary on a support 7%. The arm76 carries a series of spaced brushes or wiper contacts fih dtl Eachcontacthas a lug hit to which is connected a wire 82 terminating at adifferent one of the red lamps to disk '66 and is contacted by brushesthi 8th as the disk 66 rotates.

Another stationary insulated arm 86 carries spaced brushes or wipercontacts 90 9tl Each contact hasa lug 92 to which is connecteda wire 93terminating at a ditferent one or" green lamps 2dG-26L and at powersupply terminal 83. Arm 86 is disposed-radially of disk 68. On the diskis a circular central switch plate 94 with a short circumferentialsegment 96 extending radially thereof. An arcuate stepped switchingplate 98 isfdisposed.

radially of the centerplate 94 and makes electrical contact with segment96 and plate 94 at point 99 where plate 93 is soldered or weldedtosegment 96. V

Switching plate 84 has a series of six steps S which are spaced apartpredetermined circumferential distances. The steps are uniformlyradially spacedapart. Switching plate 9% has a series of six steps Swhich are spaced apart predetermined circumferential distances and areuniformly radially spaced apart. a p In operation of circuit 30 brush 36makes continuous contact with plate 84 as disk 66 rotates. This connectsterminal 83 continuously to the contact plate 84. Brush hil contactsplate 34 only during approximately 0t the'cycle of rotation of the disk.Brushes W -30 in turn contact plate 84 for approximately 30 shorterintervals. Brush 9%? contacts center plate continuously. as disk. 88rotates. -Brush' 94% contacts segment 96 for a short intervalof a-fewangular degrees. Brush 90 contacts plate 98 for an interval. slightlyless than Brushes 9e -9tl contact plate 98 for successively shorterintervals, each about 30 or shorter than the next. While brush 90contacts segment 96 no other brush contacts either of plates 34 or 9?.While brushes 9tl 9il arecontacting plate 98 none of. brushes 8tl 8tlcontact plate 84 Due to the arrangement described it will be apparentthat green lamp 44 will be lighted along with all of lamps 26. Then eachof lamps 26G-26L will go out in succession and when lamp26L goesout,lamp 44 will also go out. Then only the amber lamp 44 will be lighted.When this lamp goes out, all the red lamps26 will go on along with redlamp 44-. Then each red lamp 26A-26F will go out in turn. When lamp 26Fgoes out, lamp 44 goes out also and a new cycle starts with the lightingof green lamp 44 and lamps 26.

The device 10 as viewed in FIG. 3, will show all the green lights inunit 13* and unit 1.5 coming on together.

The green lights 26 will go out one at a time from top to bottom, andwhen the viewer sees the last light on at the bottom of unit 14* heknows that the amber light td is about to come on. After the amber lightgoes out all the red lights in unit it? come on along with red light inunit 12 The red lights 26 go out one at a time from top to bottomjof theunit and when only the bottom red light remains the viewer knows thatthe green lights are about to come on and the red light 44 is about togo out, vice versa.

The circuit 3% can be used in the devices 10 and 10' of FIGS. 1, 1A, itsix compartments are provided in each of units ll and 14. If only fourcompartments are provided in each of units lit and 14 as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 1A and 2, then contact plates 34 and 98'will be modified byomission of two. of each ot'steps S and S and spreading outcircumterentially the remaining steps. V i The circuit 3W can bemodified foruse in the device til of FIG. 4 by. omitting the segment 96and the amber light 44 leaving only the red and green lights 44 and 44in addition, two eachot steps S and S.will'be omitted from the plates84- and hSand the remaining steps will be elongated circumferentially'sothat the steps of each plate occupy about lSt). I 1

FIG. 7 shows circuit 3d? adapted for operatingthe pedestrian traflicsignal 10 of FIG. 5. Each of lamps 58,

disk 100 rotates on insulated shaft 70' 59 and 59* has one terminalconnected to the common line 60' terminating at terminal 61' of powersupply 62. Terminal 83' is connected via wire 115 to the radially innerone of brushes 112 on stationary arm 110. Arm 110 extends radially ofrotating insulation disk 100 carrying conductive switch plate 102. Thisplate has circumferentially spaced steps 106 and a circular portion 104.The driven by shaft 72 of motor 74'. Wires 114 are connected between theother brushes on arm 110 and the respective red lamps 58.

Terminal 83' is also connected via wire 125 to the radially inner ofbrushes 124 on stationary arm 122. The other brushes 124 are connectedby wires 126 to green lamps 59*. Red lamps 59 are connected in parallelwith red lamps 58. Disk 120 carries stepped contact plate 123 havingfour circumferentially spaced steps 130. When brushes 112 are on theouter stepped portions of plate 102, brushes 124 are off of the outerstepped portions of plate 128.

In operation of 30 and device all the red lights projected by lamps 53and 59 through their lenses come on together to present red DONT WALKsigns. Then the pairs of lamps 58, 59' go out in turn. When thelowermost red lamps 58, 59 go out, the green WALK lamps 59 all go ontogether. These lamps go out one by one as the several brushes 124 passthe several steps 130. When the last green lamp at the bottom of thedevice goes out, all the red DONT WALK lamps go on together to repeatthe cycle. The last one or two green or red lights may be made to flashon and 011.

FIG. 8 shows diagrammatically a switching device which can be used inplace of the switching devicesemploying stepped contact plates andbrushes of circuits 30 and 30". Motor '74 drives a cam shaft carryinginsulated cam plates or disks 152 spaced axially along the shaft. Thecam plates have certain circularly edge portions 154 and other straightedge portions 156 chordal to the curved portions. The cam plates rotatebetween pairs of spring contacts 153, 160 supported by stationary busbars 162, 164. The bus bars terminate at a power supply unit 62Stationary contact elements or strips 166, 168 are supported onstationary conductive bases 170, 172 and are normally closed with or incontact with contacts 153, 160, respectively. Each of bases 170 isconnected to a different lamp L which may be any one of a series oflamps shown in any of devices 10, 10 -10. Each of bases 172 is connectedto a common line 175 connected to one terminal of each lamp.

As the cam shaft 150 rotates, each cam plate will separate a pair ofspring contacts 158, 160 when the arcuate edge portions of the cam platepushes the contacts outwardly to open the circuit normally closedthrough associated contact strips 166, 168. This opens the power supplycircuit or" the lamp associated with the open contacts and the lamp goesout. The arcuate and fiat edges of the cam plates are arranged so thatthe lamps go out in turn as their power supply circuits are opened. Thisis the same function accomplished by the switching plates in circuits350 and 30 FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another switching device which canbe used in place of the switching devices employing stepped contactplates and brushes of circuits 30 and 30 The switching device 200includes a frame 202 having a first pair of vertical rails 204 providedwith opposing grooves 206 in which is slidable a first flat electricalcontact plate 208. Plate 208 has a series of steps 210 formed in itsupper edge. A lateral portion 212 of the plate carries an insulationstrip 214 on which is a. rack gear 216 extending longitudinally of theplate.

Gear 216 is engaged by a spur gear 218 mounted on a shaft 220 and drivenby a motor 74*. The motor is of reversing type. It is connected incircuit with power supply terminals 224 and a reversing switch 225 whichmay be a double-pole double-throw switch. The switch 7 has an operatingarm 226 which is contacted by bottom edge of plate 208 at the lower endof travel of the plate so that the switch is thrown and the motor isreversed.

An insulation block 230 carrying spaced vertical contact elements orstrips 232 is located so that the elements will contact plate 208 fordifferent lengths of time as the plate moves vertically while beingdriven by gear 218.

Another contact plate 234 has steps 236 formed on its upper edge. Plate234 faces plate 208 and carries an insulation strip 238 on which isanother rack gear 240 facing rack gear 216. Rack gear 240 is alsoengaged by gear 216 which drives the plate 234 vertically in oppositedirections to plate 203, so that when plate 208 is descending plate 234is rising and vice versa. Plate 234 is guided in grooves 242 between twoother rails 244 forming part of frame 202. Contact strips or elements246. are vertically disposed to contact plate 234 for different periodsof time as the plate moves vertically. Elements 246 are mounted oninsulation block 250. Contact elements 232 and 246 have lugs 233, 245which will be connected in circuit with the lamps, in place of thebrushes of circuits 50 and 30* while the contact plates 208 and 234 willreplace the contact elements carried by the rotating disks in thosecircuits.

It will be apparent from an inspection of FIGS. 9 and 10, that the leftcontact elements 232 and 246' will contact plates 2% and 240 for theshortest periods of time while motor 74 rotates at uniform speed. Whenplate 234 reaches the bottom of its travel between rails 244 it contactsoperating arm 226 of the reversing switch and again reverses the motor.Thus, each time a plate 208 or 234 reaches the bottom of its travel itreverses the motor at the same time that the other plate reaches theupper end of its travel. In FIG. 9, plate 234 is just about to contactarm 226 to effect reversing of the direction of motor travel. Whenelements 232 are contacting plate 203 elements 246 are out of contactwith plate 234 and vice versa.

The construction of the switching device 200 is preferred for someinstallations Where reciprocating rather than rotating contacts aredesired.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another switching device 200*, having anotherarrangement for reciprocating contact plates 203 and 234 provided withsteps 218 The plates are movable in opposite directions in parallelgrooves 250 ZSti formed in parallel insulated walls 252, 254. Each platecarries a horizontal insulated channel bar 256 256 A first crank pin 253slidably engages in the channel of bar 256*". This pin is eccentricallycarried by a spur gear 259 rotatably in a channel ring 260. Another pin262 diametrically opposed to pin and extending oppositely from gear 259and is slidably disposed in the channel of bar 256. A gear 264 on ashaft 265 is driven by a motor 266 rotates gear 259 and causes theplates 208 234 to slide in opposite directions. The steps of the platesalternately contact respective sets of contact elements 232 246 and thecontact elements in each set respectively contact each contact plate fordifferent lengths of time in a manner similar to that explained for thedevice 200. The contact elements will be connected to cincuits 30* or 30in place of the switching devices therein employing stepped contactplates and brushes.

FIG. 13 shows another switching device 200 having another arrangementfor reciprocating contact plates 208, 234" each provided with steps210*. The plates move in parallel grooves formed between parallel walls,270, 2723, 2'74. Insulated nuts 275 275 are secured to sides of theplates and receive threaded shafts 276 279. The shafts are journaled inbearings 280 280*, in an end wall 232 joining walls 270, 272, 274. Theshafts have gears 286, 288 at their outer ends driven by a gear 290 onthe end of a shaft 292 of motor 294. When the motor is running thethreaded shafts are turned in opposite directions so that the plates 208234 move in opposite directions. Thus the sets of contact elements 232246 alternately contact the plates and the elements in each set contactthe associated contact plate for a different length of time. The contactelements may be connected to circuits 3th or 36 in place of theswitchingdevices employed therein.

in grooves 509 wit formed in opposed insulated walls 362, 304 securedtogether by end walls 3%, 308. A shaft 309 passes through the parallelplates and engages a drive shaft 31%) which is connected by pin 312 to acrank or drive wheel 314. The wheel is rotated by a motor 316. The steps210 and Zld of the respective contact plates extend in oppositedirections and alternately contact the sets of contact elements 232,2%". The elements in each set contact their associated contact plate fordifferent lengths of time. The contact elements may be connected to thecircuits 3th, or 36 in place of the switching devices employed therein.a

The invention may thus employ several different switching devices forautomatically and cyclically turning oil? the green and red lights in atraffic signal for motorists and pedestrians. The traflic signal devicemay include time lapse signals in association with red and green signalswith or without an amber warning signal; or the device may consist onlyof time lapse pedestrian signals. The several time lapse signals can bedisposed in vertical arrays in a vertical assembly with the red andgreen lights with or without an amber light; or the time lapse signalscan be disposed in vertical arrays alongside of vertical having a seriesof stepsat one end, means for reciprocab. ing the plates cyclically, twosets of contact elements, said sets being disposed to contact respectivecontact plates alternately, the contact elements in each set contactinga contact plate for a different length oftime as the plate isreciprocated by the reciprocating means, said reciprocating meansincluding a motor, a circular drive means operatively driven by saidmotor, crank pins eccentrically carried by said drive means and disposedat diametrically opposed points, said pins engaging the platesrespectively, and guide means for guiding the plates to move indifferent directions alternately as the drive means is driven by saidmotor.

, 3. In a traffic signal assembly having difierently colored lights,switching means for successively turning the lights on and off,comprising a pair of contact plates each having a series of steps at oneend, means for reciprocating the plates cyclicallyptwo sets of contactelements, said sets being disposed to contact respective contact platesalternately, the contact elements in each set contacting a contact platefor different length of time as the plate is reciprocated by thereciprocating means, said reciprocating means including a motor, a drivegear operatively driven by said motor, crank ins eccentrically carriedby said gear and disposed at diametrically opposed points, said pinsengaging the plates respectively, and guide means for guiding the platesto move in different directions alternately as the drive gear is drivenby said arrays of the red and green lights with or without an amberlight.

The signallights can be disposed in horizontal or vertical arrays, or inany other formation. And the diiferently colored lights may beinterchanged from the positions shown in the drawing.

All of the various modes of operation described above can be controlledremotely by means of well known radio control circuits. The remotelycontrolled devices can be made responsive to a fixed frequency or to acombination of frequencies or to coded signals. The traffic signals canbe controlled by vehicle counter devices which register traific loadsand can be set to vary the'timing of the trafiic signals in response totraffic loads.

In FIG. 16 two round lens plates are shown on one side and thecorresponding parallel plates 22* are shown on the other side. In FIG.17 three sets of similarly arranged plates 3tl and 2% are shown. In FIG.18, the

, DONT WALK plates 3% are shown on one side and the correspondingparallel plates 22 on the other side.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise construction herein disclosed and that various changes andmodifications may be made within the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.'

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by- United States Letters Patent is: v V

ll. In a trafiic signal assembly having difierently colored lights,switching means for successively turning the lights on and oil,comprising a pair of contact plates each having a series of steps at oneend, means for reciprocating'the plates cyclically, two sets ofcontactelements, said sets being disposed to contact respective contact platesalternately, the contact elements in each set contacting a contact platefor a different length of time as the plate is reciprocated by thereciprocating means.

'2. In a trafiic signal assembly having dififerently colored lights,switching means for successively turning the lights on and off,comprising a pair of contact plates each In atrsfilc signal assemblyhaving differently colored lights, switching means for successivelyturning the lights on and off, comprising a pair of contact plates eachhaving 'a series of steps at one end, means for reciprocating the platescyclically, two sets of contact elements,

said sets being disposed to contact respective contact platesalternately, the contactelements in each set contacting a contact platefor a different length of time as the plate is reciprocated by thereciprocating means, said reciprocating means including a motor, a drivegear operatively driven by said motor, threaded shafts operativelydriven in different directions by said gear, nuts carried by said platesand engaged by said threaded shafts, and guide means for guiding theplates to move in different directions alternately as the drive gear isdriven by the motor.

5. In a traflic signal assembly having differently colored lights,switching means for successively turning the lights on and olf,comprising a pair of contact plates each having a series of steps at oneend, means for reciprocating the plates cyclically, two sets of contactelements, said sets being disposed to contact respective contact platesalternately, the contact elements in each set contacting a contact platefor a different length of time as the plate is reciprocated by thereciprocating means, said reciprocating means including a motor, a crankmeans operativeiy driven by the motor, a crankshaft connected to saidcrank means and reciprocated thereby, means connecting said crank shaftto said plates, and guide means for guiding the plates to reciprocate asthe crank shaft is reciprocated.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS NEIL C. READ,Primary Examiner. THOMAS E. I-IABECKER, Examiner.

1. IN A TRAFFIC SIGNAL ASSEMBLY HAVING DIFFERENTLY COLORED LIGHTS,SWITCHING MEANS FOR SUCCESSIVELY TURNING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF,COMPRISING A PAIR OF CONTACT PLATES EACH HAVING A SERIES OF STEPS AT ONEEND, MEANS FOR RECIPROCAT/ ING THE PLATES CYCLICALLY, TWO SETS OFCONTACT ELEMENTS, SAID SETS BEING DISPOSED TO CONTACT RESPECTIVE CONTACTPLATES ALTERNATELY, THE CONTACT ELEMENTS IN EACH SET CONTACTING ACONTACT PLATE FOR A DIFFERENT LENGTH OF TIME AS THE PLATE ISRECIPROCATED BY THE RECIPROCATING MEANS.